This past Saturday night we had the pleasure of planning a surprise Birthday Party for a friend’s mother.  It was to be a Casino-themed event with elegant touches, and immediately we chose a black & red color scheme. 

Most of the tables were hightop tables covered in black linen with red “martini-tie” sashes cinched at the waists.  We began by creating green felt table-rounds to anchor our centerpieces and mimic the felt of the gaming tables.  Of course no Vegas-inspired affair would be complete without playing cards, dice, poker chips, and slot-machine coins incorporated into the décor!  So we created centerpieces that featured feather boas and candles surrounding sleek martini glasses, overflowing with money, chips, cards and more!  Bar-height Chivari chairs completed the look. 

For the large round seating tables, we contrasted the black cocktail tables by using bright red linens.  We masked the banquet chairs with black chair covers accented with red sashes tied on a diagonal.  To bring in some sophisticated flair, we created towering centerpieces of black and silver extra-large ostrich plumes paired with long-stemmed red roses springing out of tall silver champagne-bucket-style vases.  We later anchored these centerpieces on round mirrors and surrounded them with more candles.

Along one wall we scattered the gaming tables: a Roulette table, a Craps table, and a Black Jack table.  Guests were issued vouchers for $5000 worth of playing chips, and they could gamble freely all night; once the party was over, they exchanged their chips for raffle tickets to win prizes!  The gaming tables were a huge hit, and were never without players!

And you can’t have a Vegas Casino without an All-You-Can-Eat Buffet!  Guests could venture to the opposite side of the room and enjoy a huge spread of delicious Hors D’oeuvres like Marinated Grilled Vegetables, Tropical Fruit with Dark Chocolate Fondue, Gourmet Cheeses, Smoked Salmon, and Hot Crab Dip.  Two Chefs were stationed nearby, one who was carving Beef Tenderloin and another creating custom Pasta dishes.

At one point, Elvis himself arrived to surprise the Birthday girl with a serenade of “Happy Birthday.”  And just in case that already wasn’t enough, guests danced the night away thanks to DJ George Rubio from JAM Entertainment, who played some of the best mix I’ve heard and kept the dance floor crowded throughout the evening!  And that’s about all I can say about the rest of the evening; after all, what happens at a Vegas-inspired-party, stays at a Vegas-inspired-party!